A demoltion battle is set to continue despite Government support for a huge scheme to transform one of Tyneside's most deprived areas.

Council chiefs have also been accused of pressing ahead with the scheme when only a tiny number of residents voted in favour of it.

Officials say the scheme at Walker Riverside in Newcastle was only agreed after extensive consultations and the processes were supported by a planning inspector.

Members of Newcastle City Council will be asked to approve the Walker Riverside Area Action Plan as part of the local development framework at a meeting tonight.

It follows a public examination by planning inspector Anthony Thickett, who says in his report that the plan is considered "sound" by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly.

Mr Thickett says the action plan also satisfies planning legislation and council officials say this clears the way for the £475m scheme to build 1,780 new homes with better shops, schools and transport links.

Of the new homes, 20% will be for rent and 80% for sale to families, with some shared ownership for those on low incomes.

Walker is ranked as the 30th most deprived area of England and local councillor David Wood said good-quality rented family homes now face the bulldozer at a time when there is a shortage of such accommodation.

"My argument is that homes should not be demolished until there is alternative accommodation for people to move into," he said. "I will be continuing my objections and arguing against the demolition of good-quality council housing."

Leaders of the Dovercourt Residents' Association quizzed the council using the Freedom of Information Act and discovered only 370 out of 6,700 households responded to consultations. Of these, only 80 voted in favour of the plan, while 114 voted for other options.

In a statement, the association says the council published the outcome in percentages, which created an illusion of support.

"It is decidedly not what the bulk of Walker Riverside residents want," it says.

A council spokesman said there have been extensive consultations going back to 2002.

"However, it is sometimes the case that despite the council's efforts, not everyone wants to come forward and make known their views and in those circumstances there is a limit to how much the council can do," he added.